Headwaters of the Maple RiverDouglas, Munro, & Lancaster Lakes

2009 ReportWhat attracts people to Northern Michigan? In general,people come north to enjoy the natural beauty of the area'spristine ecosystems, but if asked for one specific landscapefeature, most would undoubtedly say our "lakes". Lakes definethe landscape of Northern Michigan and sustain localeconomies, providing stunning views, abundant fisheries,and tremendous recreational opportunities.

In the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council service area thereare nearly 60 lakes greater than 100 acres in size, and 14of these are among the State’s largest with over 1,000acres of lake-surface area. The region also boasts some ofthe State’s deepest lakes with five lakes having maximumdepths of 100 feet or more. Douglas Lake, in northwestCheboygan County, stands among these lake “giants” with3,727 acres of surface area and over 80 feet of depth. Justnorth of Douglas, is the broad, shallow Munro Lake with 515acres of surface area and a maximum depth of 15 feet aswell as the small, secluded, but relatively deep LancasterLake with 51 acres and 57 feet of depth.

Douglas, Munro, and Lancaster, all wonderful lakes in theirown right, play an essential part in the Maple River’s des-ignation as a high-quality Blue Ribbon trout stream. Thesethree interconnected lakes, as well as the streams flowinginto them, essentially form the headwaters of the MapleRiver. The East Branch of the Maple River begins at theoutflow in the southwest corner of Douglas Lake, suppliedwith abundant and clean water from the area’s lakes andstreams. Over the last few decades, the Watershed Councilhas worked hard to protect Douglas, Munro and LancasterLakes to ensure that the lakes, and the Maple River, remainhigh quality resources for the enjoyment of future generations.

Water quality of the region’s lakes, both large and small,has been monitored by staff and volunteers alike, providingvaluable data on the overall health of our waters. Ourcornerstone water quality monitoring programs includeComprehensive Water Quality Monitoring and VolunteerLakeMonitoring. TheComprehensiveWaterQualityMonitoringprogram is run byWatershedCouncil staff who havemonitoredwater quality of Northern Michigan’s lakes and streams forover 20 years. The Volunteer Lake Monitoring program wasstarted in 1984 and has relied on hundreds of dedicatedvolunteers who monitor water clarity, algae abundance,phosphorus levels and more.

In addition to monitoring, the Watershed Council has workedwith lake shoreline owners and lake organizations on avariety of projects to protect the lakes scattered throughoutNorthern Michigan. Projects carried out on these lakeshave ranged from comprehensive aquatic plant surveys toshoreline restoration projects. Details about recent monitoringactivities and lake projects in the headwaters of the EastBranch of the Maple River are included in this report.

We hope you find this report both informative and helpful.If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, pleasecontact Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council at (231) 347-1181or visit our website at www.watershedcouncil.org.

DOUGLAS LAKE, located in northwestern CheboyganCounty, has over 3,727 acres of surface area and is over80 feet in depth.

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Comprehensive Water Quality Monitoring

Water Quality Trends: 20 years of data

In 2007, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council completed its20th year of comprehensive monitoring. Starting on just 10lakes in 1987, the Watershed Council’s ComprehensiveWater Quality Monitoring Program has expanded to includeover 50 lakes and rivers throughout Northern Michigan. Anincredible amount of data hasbeengenerated from this programand utilized by the Watershed Council, lake and streamassociations, local governments and regulatory agencies inan effort to protect and improve the water resources that areso important to the region.

Every three years, Watershed Council staff head into thefield as soon as ice is out to monitor lakes and rivers spreadacross the tip of the mitt. Over 60% of the region’s lakesgreater than 100 acres in size, and all major rivers areincluded in the program. In each of these water bodies, theWatershed Council collects a variety of data, includingparameters suchasdissolvedoxygen, pH, chloride, phosphorusand nitrogen.

Information gathered in the Comprehensive Water QualityMonitoring Programhas proven to be very useful. The data areused by the Watershed Council and others to characterizewater bodies, identify specific problems and examine trendsover time. One obvious trend found by analyzing data fromthis program is that chloride (a component of salt) levelshave increased significantly in many water bodies duringthe last 22 years. Why? We need not look any farther thanourselves to find the answer as we use salt in everythingfrom de-icing to cooking.

The following pages contain descriptions of the types of datacollected in the program as well as select data from Douglas,Lancaster, and Munro Lakes. We have also included chartsto provide a graphic display of trends occurring in the lake.For additional information about the Comprehensive WaterQuality Monitoring Program please visit our web site atwww. watershedcouncil.org/protect.

Parameters and ResultspHpH values provide a measurement of the acidity or alkalinityof water. Measurements above 7 are alkaline, 7 is consideredneutral, and levels below 7 are acidic. When pH is outsidethe range of 5.5 to 8.5, most aquatic organisms becomestressed and populations of some species can becomedepressed or disappear entirely. State law requires thatpH be maintained within a range of 6.5 to 9.0 in all watersof the state. Data collected from Douglas, Lancaster, and

Munro Lakes show that pH levels consistently fall withinthis range, except on one occasion in 1987 when the pHin Douglas Lake was measured at 9.4. Other than the highreading in 1987, which may have been due to equipment oroperator error, pH has ranged from a low of 7.08 (Douglas,1992) to a high of 8.67 (Munro, 2001).

Dissolved OxygenOxygen is required by almost all organisms, including thosethat live in the water. Oxygen dissolves into the water fromthe atmosphere (especially when there is turbulence) andthrough photosynthesis of aquatic plants and algae. State lawrequires that a minimum of 5 to 7 parts per million (PPM) bemaintained depending on the lake type. Dissolved oxygenlevels recorded in Douglas, Lancaster, and Munro Lakestypically exceed State minimums. The lowest readings,0.57 and 0.72 PPM, were both recorded in the bottom ofLancaster Lake. Dissolved oxygen stores at the bottom oflakes like Lancaster often become depleted because of limitedmixing between surface and bottom waters due to its depthand small surface area. Otherwise, dissolved oxygen levelson all three lakes have ranged from 5.4 PPM (Lancaster,2004) to 13.1 PPM (Douglas, 1995).

ConductivityConductivity is a measure of the ability of water to conduct anelectric current, which is dependent upon the concentrationof charged particles (ions) dissolved in the water. Readings onlakes monitored by theWatershed Council have ranged from175 to 656microSiemens (µS), and in Douglas, Lancaster, andMunro Lakes, ranging from a low of 178 µS (Douglas,1987) to a high of 378 µS (Lancaster, 2004). Conductivitylevels rose gradually in Douglas Lake from 1987 to 2004and then dropped substantially in 2007. A steady increasein conductivity levels generally occurs due to greaterhuman activity in the watershed and may indicate that waterpollution is occurring.

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Chloride

Chloride, a component of salt, is present naturally at lowlevels in Northern Michigan surface waters due to the marineorigin of bedrock (typically < 5 PPM). Chloride is a “mobileion,” meaning it is not removed by chemical or biologicalprocesses in soil or water. Many products associated withhuman activities contain chloride (e.g., de-icing salts, watersoftener salts, and bleach). Although most aquatic organismsare not affected until chloride concentrations exceed 1,000PPM, increasing chloride concentrations are indicative of otherpollutants associated with human activity (such as automotivefluids from roads or nutrients/bacteria from septic systems)reaching our waterways. Chloride concentrations havetripled in Douglas Lakes from a low of 1-2 PPM in 1987 to ahigh of 6-7 PPM in 2007. Current chloride levels in Lancasterare similar to Douglas, whereas Munro Lake remains low at4 PPM.

Total Phosphorus

Phosphorus is the most important nutrient for plantproductivity in surface waters because it is usually inshortest supply relative to nitrogen and carbon. A waterbody is considered phosphorus limited if the ratio of nitrogento phosphorus is greater than 15:1. In fact, most lakesmonitored by the Watershed Council are found to bephosphorus limited. Although water quality standards havenot been set for lakes, the U.S. EPA recommends that totalphosphorus concentrations in streams discharging intolakes not exceed 50 parts per billion (PPB). Phosphorus isnormally found at concentrations of less than 10 PPB inhigh quality surface waters. Although most total phosphorusconcentrations in Douglas, Lancaster, and Munro Lakes

have been below 20 PPB, levels exceeded 30 PPB twotimes on Douglas Lake and two times on Lancaster Lake.

Total Nitrogen

Nitrogen is another essential nutrient for plant growth. It is avery abundant element throughout the earth’s surface and isa major component of all plant and animal matter. Althoughnutrients occur naturally, nutrient pollution is usually the resultof human activities (e.g. fertilizers, faulty septic systems,and storm water runoff). In general, the lowest nutrient levelsare found in Lake Michigan and large deep inland lakes,while the highest nutrient levels were found in small shallowlakes.Total nitrogen levels in Douglas, Lancaster, and MunroLakes have ranged from 298 PPB (Douglas, 1998) to 1010PPB (Douglas, 1987). Nitrogen levels have remained fairlystable on Douglas Lake since 1995 and there appears to bea trend toward increasing levels in Munro Lake.

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Comprehensive Water Quality Monitoring Program2007 Data

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Partnering to ProtectDougals Lake

Gold & Blue UncoverBlue & Green on Douglas Lake

In June of 2008, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council receiveda call from University of Michigan Biostation staff concerninga potentially dangerous form of blue-green algae in DouglasLake. Samples taken during an algae class revealed thepresence of microsystis, a blue-green algae species thatcan produce a toxin harmful to animals, including humans.Although uncertain as to whether the toxin was present atdangerous levels in the lake, Biostation staff notified theCheboygan County Health Department and the DouglasLake Improvement Association; advising “bug camp”staff and residents to limit time in the lake until furtherinformation was obtained. A sample collected and sentoff for analyses showed the microsystin toxin to be atnon-detectable levels. This brief scare for the Douglas Lakecommunity during the summer of 2008 increasedaction on part of the Lake Association, the Biostation, andthe Watershed Council to become better informed regardingthe biology, ecology, and dangers of blue-green algae andto take steps to monitor Douglas Lake for blue-green algaeand, thereby, better protect lake users.

The name “blue-green algae” is a bit of a misnomer as thisgroup of organisms more closely resembles bacteria andin fact, belong to a phylum commonly called Cyanobacteria.These bacteria that have the ability to photosynthesize(which has created the confusion in taxonomic classification)have been on the planet for a long time, fossil records going

back almost 3 billion years! Present day, over 3,000 specieshave been described worldwide. Some of these speciescan produce toxins, including neurotoxins, hepatotoxins,cytotoxins, and endotoxins, which are potentially dangerousto animals and humans. One type of toxin-producing blue-green algae, Microcystis, has been in the spotlight in recentyears in Michigan following the discovery of high levels ofthe associated toxin, microsystin, in lakes near Muskegon.Microcystis is the type that was discovered by the algaeclass at the Biostation that raised the flag and causedthe alert.

Tom Kennedy, board member of both the Douglas LakeImprovement Association and Tip of the Mitt WatershedCouncil, was particularly interested in blue-green algae inDouglas Lake and has been actively researching the issueand coordinating monitoring efforts. Following an extensiveinformation search, Tom developed a program to monitormicrocystin in the lake. Arrangements have been madeto collect and analyze samples from Douglas Lake withassistance from Biostation staff. Although microsystin wasnot detected in samples collected in 2009, monitoring effortswill continue in 2010 and beyond to ensure the safety ofthose living on, studying, and recreating in Douglas Lake.

The Watershed Council will continue to collaborate with theLake Association, Biostation, and other partners to monitormicrocystin in Douglas Lake and to spread the knowledgeand lessons learned to other lake organizations throughoutNorthern Michigan. We thank Tom for all his efforts and theBiostation for their vigilance and support.

Although microsystin was not detectedin samples collected in 2009, monitoringefforts will continue in 2010 and beyondto ensure the safety of those living onand utilizing Douglas Lake.

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Volunteer Lake Monitoring

Local VolunteersMonitor & Protect Our Lakes

Since 1984, Tip of theMittWatershedCouncil has coordinatedthe Volunteer Lake Monitoring program (VLM), relying uponhundreds of volunteers to monitor the water quality ofdozens of lakes in the northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan.During the summer of 2008, 40 volunteers monitored waterquality at 33 stations on 25 lakes.

A tremendous amount of data has been generated by theVLM program and is available to the public via our web site(www.watershedcouncil.org/protect). This data is essentialfor discerning short-term changes and long-term trends inthe lakes of NorthernMichigan. Ultimately, the dedicated effortof volunteers and staff will help improve lakemanagement andprotect and enhance the quality of NorthernMichigan’s waters.

Volunteers measure water clarity on a weekly basis usinga Secchi disc. Every other week volunteers collect watersamples to be analyzed for chlorophyll-a. Staff at theWatershed Council process the data and determine TrophicStatus Index (TSI) scores to classify the lakes and makecomparisons. On Douglas andMunro Lakes, volunteers havemonitored water quality since 1986 and 1995 respectively.The following section summarizes the results.

Secchi Disc

The Secchi disc is a weighted disc (eight inches in diameter,painted black and white in alternating quarters) that is usedto measure water clarity. The disc is dropped down throughthe water column and the depth at which it disappearsis noted. Using Secchi disc measurements, we are able todetermine the relative clarity of water, which is principallydetermined by the concentration of algae and/or sediment in

the water. The clarity of water is a simple and valuable wayto assess water quality. Lakes and rivers that are very clearusually contain lower levels of nutrients and sediments and,in most cases, boast high quality waters. Throughout thesummer, different algae bloom at different times, causingclarity to vary greatly. Secchi disc depths have ranged fromjust a few feet in small inland lakes to 40-50+ feet in largeinland lakes and Great Lakes’ bays.

Chlorophyll-a

Chlorophyll-a is a pigment found in all green plants, includingalgae. Water samples collected by volunteers are analyzedfor chlorophyll-a to determine the amount of phytoplankton(minute free-floating algae) in the water column. There is astrong relationship between chlorophyll-a concentrationsand Secchi disc depth. Greater amounts of chlorophyll-aindicate greater phytoplankton densities, which reducewater clarity and, thus, the Secchi disc depth as well. So whycollect chlorophyll-a data? The chlorophyll-a data providessupport for Secchi disc depth data used to determine theproductivity of the lake, but it can also help differentiate betweenturbidity caused by algal blooms versus turbidity caused byother factors such as sedimentation or calcite.

Trophic Status Index

Trophic Status Index (TSI) is a tool developed by BobCarlson,Ph.D. from Kent State University, to determine the biologicalproductivity of a lake. Formulas developed to calculatethe TSI value utilize Secchi disc depth and chlorophyll-a

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measurements collected by our volunteers. TSI valuesrange from 0 to 100. Lower values (0-38) indicate anoligotrophic or low productive system, medium values(39-49) indicate a mesotrophic or moderately productivesystem, and higher values (50+) indicate a eutrophic orhighly productive system. Lakes with greater water clarityand smaller phytoplankton populations would score on thelow end of the scale, while lakes with greater turbidity andmore phytoplankton would be on the high end.

TSI values do not measure water quality, but simply placethe lake on a scale of biological productivity. Oligotrophiclakes are characteristically deep, clear, nutrient poor, and withabundant oxygen. On the other end of the spectrum, eutrophiclakes are shallow, nutrient rich and full of productivity, whichwhen excessive can lead to oxygen depletion.Mesotropic lakeslie somewhere in between and are moderately productive.Lakes may be placed in the eutrophic category as a resultof algal blooms, which are often a public concern and canbe indicative of water pollution problems. On the otherhand, low productivity of oligotrophic lakes may result ina lackluster fishery when compared to highly productiveeutrophic lakes.

(2008 TSI Values for all lakes on back page.)

Results from Douglas and Munro LakesVolunteer monitors have collected water quality on DouglasLake for over 20 years, near its deepest point to the east ofPells Island. Data fromMunro Lake is growing as it has beenmonitored for over a decade. Lancaster Lake, however, wasmonitored only one year (2007) and is therefore, not includedin trend analyses. The long-term Secchi disc and chlorophyll-a data from these lakes allow Watershed Council staff toassess water quality and examine changes over time.

Data fromDouglas Lake show an increase in average Secchidisc depths, particularly since 2002, whereas water clarity haslargely remained stable in Munro Lake. Average chlorophyll-aconcentrations have gone up and down in both lakes and

show no clear trends. The increased water clarity in DouglasLake is probably linked to zebra mussels, which were firstdocumented in the lake in 2001. Zebramuscles are voraciousfilter-feeders that feed upon algae and essentially clear thewater column. Unfortunately, zebra mussels are not cleaningthe water, but rather removing the algae that are the baseof the food chain and ultimately, causing ecosystemdisruptions. Their feeding habits make them a very likelyculprit for the recent increases in transparency observed inDouglas. To date, zebramussels have not been found inMunroLake and hopefully, the 2008 increase in water clarity is ananomaly rather than a sign of exotic mussel invasion.

Douglas Lake appears to be wavering between mesotrophy(moderately productive) and oligotrophy (low productivity)while Munro Lake steadily scores in themesotrophic category.Trophic status index scores in Douglas Lake, based onSecchi disc depths, were consistently above 40 until 2005when they dipped into the upper 30s. In Munro Lake, trophicstatus index scores based on Secchi disc depths haveconsistently been 40 or above. Both lakes have seen a lotof variation in trophic status index scores calculated fromthe chlorophyll-a data. Although not completely supportedby the chlorophyll-a data, it appears that the introductionof zebra mussels may be moving Douglas Lake into theoligotrophic category; clearer with fewer nutrients in theopen water, but maintaining high dissolved oxygen levels.

Overall, volunteer data show that the water quality of DouglasandMunro Lakes remains high.Without dedicated volunteers,we would have less data, so we would like to send outa big “thank you” to all those that have helped with theprogram. We would also like to encourage others to becomeinvolved with our volunteer program to help us monitor andprotect the aquatic treasures of Northern Michigan.

If you would like to get involved, please contact the programcoordinator, Kevin Cronk, at (231) 347-1181 ext. 109 or bye-mailing kevin@watershedcouncil.org.

Tools of the Trade...Volunteer Lake Monitors use aSecchi disc to measure water clarity.

* TSI values range from 0 to 100. Lower values (0-38) indicate an oligotrophic or low productive system, medium values (39-49)indicate a mesotrophic or moderately productive system, and higher values (50+) indicate a eutrophic or highly productive system.

426BayStreetPetoskey,MI49770

Special Thanks to Our Douglas & Munro Lake VolunteersWe couldn’t do it without you.

Trophic Status Index (TSI) Values for Lakes Monitored in 2008

Bass Lake 44

Black Lake 28

Burt Lake, Central Basin 34

Burt Lake, North 34

Burt Lake, South 36

Crooked Lake 38

Douglas Lake - Cheboygan City 39

Douglas Lake - Otsego City 42

Elk Lake 38

Lake Charlevoix, Main 24

Lake Charlevoix, South Arm 32

Huffman Lake 31

Lake Marion 23

Lake Michigan, Bay Harbor 14

Lake Michigan, Little Traverse Bay 27

Long Lake, Cheboygan County 31

Mullett Lake, Center 25

Mullett Lake, Pigeon Bay 32

Munro Lake 39

Paradise Lake 45

Pickerel Lake 38

Six Mile Lake 44

Thayer Lake 43

Thumb Lake 32

Twin Lake 38

Walloon Lake, Foot Basin 34

Walloon Lake, North 37

Walloon Lake, West Arm 33

Walloon Lake, Wildwood 33

Lake TSI Lake TSI Lake TSI

* TSI values range from 0 to 100. Lower values (0-38) indicate an oligotrophic or low productive system, medium values (39-49)indicate a mesotrophic or moderately productive system, and higher values (50+) indicate a eutrophic or highly productive system.